.;^- 



MEMOIR 



OF THb Late 



SAMUEL BREXK, 



0itc-|rcsiIieut of t^c |istorical .^ocichr tif |eiinsi)H)aiua. 



READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

Printed for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 

BY KING .■< BAIRD, 607 SANSOM STREET. 

1863. 



MEMOIR 



OF THE LATE 



SAiMUEL BRECK, 



0itc-|1r«it)cnt ot the llistorical Soridti of |3ennsnll);ruia. 



READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY, 



JOSEPH R. INGERSOLL, 

January 12th, 1863. 



PHILADELPHIA : 

KIXG & BAIRD, PRINTERS, 607 SANSOM STREET. 
1863. 



j:riA 



I 



0^ 



K 



historical Socittn of |Unnsnll);uua. 



Philadelphia, Januanj 13, 1863. 
Sir: 

At the stated meeting held last evenmg, it 
was, on motion, unanimously 

'■'■ Eesolvcd, That the thanks of this Society be 
" presented to the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll, for the 
" excellent memoir of our late Vice-President, 
" Samuel Breck, Esquire, just read, and that a 
" copy be requested for publication." 

Very respectfidly and truh', 

Yours, 
JOHN JORDAN, Jr., 

Ilecordiiig Secretary. 
HOX. J. P. IXGEESOLL. 



In obc} ing the call with which you have honored 
me, I can only hope to express sentiments such as 
those once entertained personally for your departed 
associate by his friends, and now cherished for his 
memoiy. The invitation can'ies such a desire natur- 
ally along vvith it, and its acceptance is a pledge of 
performance accordingly, not without misgivings as 
to the satisfactorj' execution of it. One of the 
effects of a Society lilce yours is the cultivation of 
closer acquaintance, and hence of mutual good feel- 
ing and regard. You come together not merely to 
acquire and diffuse knowledge of a particular kind, 
but in tlie acquisition and diffusion of it you pro- 
mote a friendship residting from the joint exercise 
of a common good. 

The course of ^Ir. Breck's Life may be regarded 
for the occasion as having its epitome in this com- 
panionship ; and while the respect of a whole com- 
munity has followed him with becoming solemnity 
to the grave, our especial attention is turned towards 
him because of an identity of membership. From 
that position, we are to look beyond, and examine 
his merits in a wider sphere. Yet the connection 
gives proper impidse to our claim to eulogize, and 
explains our moving principle in its utterance as 
coming from ourselves. 

Facts are the materials of experience and the 



basis of science. They arc collected from observa- 
tion of the present time and acquaintance with the 
records of the past. It is impossible for a single 
human capacity to gather, through actual inter- 
course, however frequent and familiar, with men 
and things, sufficient stores to supply all the exigen- 
cies of theory, or any but a small proportion of the 
ingredients of Wisdom. It looks abroad through 
the wide world, as it is, and as it has been, and 
grows wise from the accuniulations of others, 
according to their various powers and advantages. 
Space is no limit to its researches which penetrate 
the mysteries of every element, and seek instruction 
in its most remote recesses, from the loftiest heights 
inhabited only by suns and stars, from the depths 
of the sea and earth, and from the teeming richness 
of their surface. Even then it has gained but 
limited acquirements. It must direct its view to 
the multiplied discoveries and lessons of ages that 
are gone, rich as they are in abundance, and fruit- 
ful in generosity. Happily, none of these sources 
of knowledge, though profound, like everything 
that is wise, are impenetrable or effectually con- 
cealed. Geography shows the surface of man's 
abode within and beyond his possession, and kin- 
dred sciences teach him what is far from personal 
reach, though open to successful enquiry. Each 
preceding age is filled with its own performances, 
and ready to afford, more or less clearly, instruction 
concerning them. This may be varied in its scale 
and character ; yet in every department it has its 



uses, and all are Avitliin the range of curiosity and 
research. 

History is as truly a science as mathematics or 
astronomy, or chemistry, and it is not less necessary 
to the culti^■ation of them in unfolding their suc- 
cessive improvements, than their own innate and 
persevering pursuits and experiments. History in 
its largest sense applies to all the facts which fall 
within the reach of vmiversal experience, — to all 
the phenomena exhibited in space — and to all the 
changes which have been effected successively, in 
time. Our present enquiry is directed, not to the 
developments of art or the discoveries of science, 
but to the individual worth and faculties of one 
among many who desire to trace the progress of 
events from year to year — from century to century 
— through the archives of this Society. 

Biography is next in the order of comprehensive- 
ness and perhaps of dignity. The term is believed 
to have been first used by the Abbe Chastelain, 
canon of the Church of Paris, and author of Uni- 
versal Martyrology. (^lartyrologe Univcrsel, 1709.) 
There have been authors at all times who have 
performed the duty. Among the most distinguished 
were Plutarch, Avhose " lives," as they are called, 
are everywhere read with more than historic delight, 
and Cornelius Nepos. They believed that in a 
recital, actions perform the part of eloquence in 
speech. Biography is more limited in its scope 
than history. It is confined to individual life and 
character, and has the charm of conversation with 



8 

more than its accuracy, and it does not discuss, 
except incidentally, the pretensions of a nation. It 
traces the actions and illustrates the abilities of 
remarkable men in public affairs and private con- 
duct, and it displays their whole lives, political and 
literary, religious, civil and military. 

Our present task — mine to speak, and yours, less 
welcome, I fear, patiently to hear — is of still less 
extent. It is the memorial of an excellent man, 
who, after a long and estimable career, has been 
withdrawn from his sphere of usefulness. It pro- 
poses, not to detail the events of his entire life, but 
some of its prominent and characteristic incidents. 
In this department French literature has been par- 
ticularly rich. Among the most esteemed are such 
as were written by those who partook largely them- 
selves, of the events described by them. Sully and 
De Retz are familiar names. Of Comines, it is said, 
that he pictured himself in his memoirs, which are 
Avritten with an air of grandeur, an impetuosity of 
genius, and an irregularity of style, Avhich are the 
image of his conduct. They are often refeiTcd to 
for knowledge of the things related in them ; and 
especially for such as adorn the memory, and 
explain the character of deceased great ones. 

It was the habit of IMr. Brcck to make minutes 
or private records largely. A Diary, or body of 
Recollections, has been left by him, which fills 
about a dozen closely A\a-itten volumes. With the 
kindest feelings, he may have feared that occasion- 
ally something might have been inserted which, 



9 

unexplained, would savor of unkindncss. Under 
some such impression, perhaps, the legatee or de- 
pository of his manuscripts finds from him an 
injunction to take an early opportunity of examin- 
ing his Diaries and expunging everything that 
might give pain to others. With some persons, a 
feeling of vanity prompts to this habit of self-guided 
entry of one's o^vn passing events or thoughts. 
"S'N'alter Scott was inuch of a Diarist from an 
exuberant mind. Before him, Lord Colchester, 
long the distinguished speaker, Charles Abbott, of 
the Britisli House of Commons, constantly made 
entries of this character half a century ago, which 
have been published in three octavo volumes. They 
contain much that is agreeable, and even instructive, 
concerning the leading men of the time, some of 
whom, the Broughams and Palmerstons, still appear 
actively in national affairs. There was no un- 
becoming vanity or ill will in ]\Ir. Breck's habit. 
He had many leisure hours, being free from par- 
ticidar occupations of business, and he passed much 
time alone. Diarising may have been an amusement 
as well as an employment ; and the details thus 
preserved may have furnished him hints and sugges- 
tions for different productions prepared by him fi-om 
time to tim(>, for the public eye and ear. A further 
proof of his professing a fund of useful information 
ready to be thus appli(-d, is furnished by his having 
come forward occasionally the voluntary contributor 
to expressions of public sentiment, without waiting 
for an in\itation from any qiiarter. 



10 

In these domestic records lie coidd find, in a 
shape which he mnst consider as authentic, the 
basis for opinions and facts which he was wiUing to 
communicate in discourses and otlier articles written 
by him. It was a mark of his aniiableness as well 
as his industry, that he was so often ready to answer 
to calls from his friends or from societies with which 
he was connected. His habits and studies, as well 
as his associations, rendered him apt in compliance 
with invitations from such quarters. He was a man 
of reading and letters, and an accomplished amateur 
artist ; his inclination tended towards historical 
interest, and his cheerfid anecdotes testified to a 
retentive memory and quick perception. It Avas not 
difficult to find abroad and at home models of this 
kind of composition and narrative ; and the stores 
and researches he had preserved might be adapted 
to them in sufficiently easy abundance. Many 
"Lives," as they were called, appeared in Great 
Britain during his career of authorship. Such, for 
example, were Coleridge's Sketches of his own liter- 
ary life and opinions ; INIoore's Life of Sheridan ; 
Stapleton's George Canning and his Times ; Twiss's 
Lord Eldon ; Pcarce's Life of Lord Wellesley, and 
others. Those that have been found amono- our- 
selves need not be mentioned, lest any omissions 
might seem to be invidious. Under a tUfferent form 
of Go\ernment, an officer has been sustained in 
Courts, called ]\Iaster of the Memories, Officer of 
the Palace, Chief Secretary — who made notes of all 
the actions and remarkable events of the Sovereign. 



11 

In the introductory notice to one of his pubHc 
addresses, INIr. Breck informs ns that he spent four 
years of his school days at a college in France luiiler 
the administration of Benedictine monks. Before 
his departure from that country he visited its great 
capital. A kind temper given to him by nature 
was here adapted to gentleness and grace of man- 
ners ; and personal accomplishments must have been 
almost unconsciously cultivated among those to 
whom they were then still familiar, under a yet 
undisturbed government. This was combined Avith 
the fact, that he found Boston, on his return in 
1787, crowded with well educated Frenchmen, 
driven there by disturbances in vSt. Domingo. It 
made him still more closely acquainted with the 
habits and accustomed to the politeness of a people 
the most polished and refined. The great revolu- 
tion in France was yet some years ahead. His 
knowledge was increased by the elegant literature 
of France, and he is not supposed to have been 
contanunated by the surrounding tendency to reli- 
gious scepticism. His deportment naturally assumed 
a finished air, which did not leave him during his 
long life. No.ont^ could have known him, however 
sliglitly, without being struck with these peculi- 
arities, which were marks of cidti^^ated kindness, 
without undue affectation. He was a thorough 
gentleman of the old school — courteous, animated, 
affable, and kind. The circumstance of his going 
to a foreign country for education was rendered easy 
and agreeable by the return thither from Boston of 



12 

certain military and naval officers. He was sent by 
his father under the care of some of them for the 
purpose of being placed in a French seminary. 

This was, perhaps, the most eifective incident of 
his life. It produced events and placed him in 
the way of impressions, and led to familiaiity with 
persons and places, Avliich were the substantial 
ingredients of his tlioughts and reflections of his 
actions. The condition of things at home was such 
that good education there was scarcely possible. 
Sooner or later, in some way or other, it was to be 
sought elsewhere. Extreme youth was in this 
instance somewhat of an objection to going abroad, 
before Avhat might be regarded suitable experience, 
but it rendered his susceptibilities the keener, and 
the impressions to be made on mind and body would 
be deeper and more permanent. A college in 
France Avas determined on by the fomily, and the 
first suitable opportunity for sending him was 
embraced, in the care of persons of standing. On 
the 24th of December, 1782, being then eleven 
years and six months old, he was embarked in the 
frigate Iris, INIarquis De Traverse, Commander, who 
was directed by the Admiral to take him into his 
own cabin. An officer in Rochambeau's army, who 
was returning to France, whose home at Toulouse 
was only four-and-twenty miles from the selected 
College, undertook to see him safely tliere. The 
French Admiral had recommended the CoUege of 
Soreze, in Lower Languedoc, and accompanied the 



13 

recommendation with letters to the Very Reverend 
Dom Despanlx, the Principal, and others. 

With these incidents, the scheme was undertaken 
which was to launch him in extreme youth upon 
the ocean of life, subject to its thousand perils, 
which couLl not be foreseen. It may have con- 
tributed to his independence of feeling and conduct 
afterwards that he was thus left without parents, 
relations, or tried friends near him, to the dangers 
of temptation. 

A cordial reception awaited him at the College, 
and he describes himself as having entered upon 
his studies with a light heart and contented mind. 

The opportunities for instruction were good. 
Lay teachers of much ability assisted the Monks, 
and taught everything fitted to give a solid educa- 
tion, intermixed with all the variety of ornamental 
and pleasing instruction. Tlius, besides the ancient 
and modern languages, and exact sciences, drawing, 
music, dancing, riding, fencing, military exercise, 
&c., were a part of the pupil's daily occupation. 
It would have been strange if accomphshments had 
not been acquired by them. 

It is a proof that he became thus endowed at this 
Seminary, that his education in reality began and 
ended there. It was pursued no further either 
abroad or at home. A mind sufficiently intelligent, 
industry and application sufficiently faithfiil, and a 
disposition sufficiently ambitious, were all kept in 
order and employment by a moral principle and 
rectitude that appear to have been his guardians at 



14 

all times. Habits of occupation were formed which 
were always afterwards ready for exercise. All 
exercise or rather indulgence of them was a plea- 
sure and a pride. While tliey brought him know- 
ledge, they made it easy for him to impart its fruits 
on suitable occasions in after life. 

AVith such companionship as he liad, and instruc- 
tion necessarily tinctured with particular religious 
tendencies, his feelings became imbued accordingly. 
He records the course of his conversion to this effect. 
His good maternal grandmother, who belonged to 
the old Colonial and intolerant sect of Presbyterians, 
refused to kiss him, and reluctantly gave him her 
blessing when he left home, because he was going to 
a Popish country. Without the smallest effort on 
the part of the Monks to turn him from the religion 
of his fathers, but by the ad\ ice of an intimate friend, 
he addressed himself to the Superior and asked for 
a Confessor. He was advised to pause and take a 
week to reflect on the subject. He did so, ^vithout 
any change of opinion, and a Monk was named, to 
whom he regularly confessed until he left college. 
He happened to be at Lyons on Easter-Sunday, and 
being then a good lloman Catholic, he attended 
Mass, confessed and communicated. This more than 
tendency to stray from Protestantism was given up 
not long after he was at home, and he records in 
1789 that his "zeal for the Pope's Church has cooled 
off, and he was now again a Protestant." He lived 
and died a communicant of the Episcopal Clmrch. 
He was temperate and abstemious, e^en when drink- 



15 

ing was a foshionable %-ice ; and he took care himself 
to be free from every kind of dissipation. 

For some time his journal abroad was kept in 
French, by his friend Dom Crozal, whom he calls his 
Excellent Governor; with whom he did not quite 
agree in the admiration of Paris. At Havre this 
person left him, having been his companion during 
a journey of two months' duration, and about 800 
miles distance. The worthy Monk was parted with, 
the journal says, A\ith gratitude for his uniform kind- 
ness and suitable protection, " which was neither 
irksome by rigid superintendence, nor lax by inat- 
tention." At Lyons the landlord, perhaps impressed 
with his good appearance and manners, complimented 
him with the title of Marquis, which was modestly 
regarded as a civil traveling title merely, and it was 
by Mr. Breck, as a good republican, declined. 

He embarked at Ha\re in one of the monthly 
packets which the French government had estab- 
lished in imitation of the English. Among the 
passengers was Paul Jones, the celebrated sea-cap- 
tain, then an Admiral in the Russian service, and 
wearing several crosses at his button-holes. Our 
friend does not seem to have brought home with 
him the most favorable impressions of external 
France generally. A want of cleanliness was con- 
spicuous to him ratlicr than the splendor which is 
usually the admiration of strangers. 

After an absence of four years and a half, he 
reached his native town of Boston, on the 2d of 



16 

July, 1787, spcaldng English with the accent of a 
foreigner. 

He liad not been long at home, when his flither, find- 
ing him inclined to become a merchant, engaged a 
place in a counting-house, for which one hundred gui- 
neas were paid to the merchant. He continued with 
him until 1790. The lessons taught in this counting- 
house in reference to trade, he declares " were of the 
most innnoral character, owing chiefly to the dis- 
turbed and feeble state of the old confederative 
governnicnt and in execution of the revenue laws of 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On the arrival 
of a vessel, one-half the cargo was placed in the upper 
part of the store, and the other half only entered at 
the Custom-house ; and thus they were initiated into 
the secret of smuggling." "To ask one hundred 
guineas of young gentlemen" he says, "educated in 
honorable principles, to teach them low fraud and 
disreputable course of trade, showed the times to be 
sadly out of joint." "The laws were a dead letter; 
the States, collectively and individually, were bank- 
rupt ; the public debts at ten or twelve dollars for a 
hundred! Each State was pulling against the other; 
and the fruit of our seven years' war for indepen- 
dence did not then appear to be worth gathering.'' 
This melancholy state of tilings did not last long. 
It was eifectually changed by the wisdom of our 
fathers. He regarded relief as atforded in 1789 by 
the adoption of what he styles the present excellent 
constitution, which " carried" he says, " this great 
nation, in the course of forty years, from a fearful 



17 

state of poverty and disorder, to higli station and 
unrivalled prosperity. " 

Mr. Breck went to Europe a second time in 1790, 
and returned in 1791. He was then twenty years 
old. His father gave him a capital of ten tliousand 
dollars, and told him to commence merchant -with 
that sum. He did so successfully, and continued to 
be a merchant for se^'eral years. His name is in 
the Philadelphia Directory of 1794:-5, Merchant, 
South "Water, below "Walnut street. In 1792 his 
father's family removed to Philadelphia as their 
permanent residence. He mentions a circumstance 
which shows that habits of a certain kind have since 
in Europe and this country, grown strangely upon 
us. In traveling through Princeton two passengers 
were received in tlie stage — one of whom was a 
student of the college. He had a segar in his mouth, 
and this, !Mr. Breck declares, was the first he ever 
saw. 

The cause of the removal of the family from 
Boston, is stated in the " Recollections." A system 
of taxation, the most iniquitous imaginable, he says, 
came out in Boston, which drove, by its injustice, 
from the town, several of its richest inhabitants. 
" After rating an inhabitant for watch where there 
were no watchmen ; for lighting streets where there 
were no lamps ; for municipal regidations in general, 
where there was almost an entire absence of police — 
they put down under the head of Faculty, just what 
they pleased, — guessing this man to be worth so 
much, and that other so much — thus laying a heavy 



18 

tax upon him who Hvcd Hberally, and spent his 
income among his fellow-townsmen in acts of hospi 
tality to them and to strangers, while the rich miser 
who kept his money out of circtilation, was deemed 
poor, and scarcely taxed at all." If this be a correct 
picture of things seventy years ago, it has long since 
ceased to be so. There is now, by universal consent, 
no place more agreeable and active than Boston. Its 
literature is distinguished, and its social condition is 
refined. The father and mother of Mr. Breck, finding 
no redress to be had, and having visited Philadelphia 
recently, concluded to remove to that city, which 
was the seat of the Federal government, and pos- 
sessed, they believed, the most refined society in the 
Union. Its climate too was regarded as more 
moderate than that of Boston, and they had been 
entertained there, they thought, with universal kind- 
ness and hospitality. Orders were given to purchase 
a house, and as soon as the purchase was made, the 
family was transplanted from its native town, and 
they never regretted the remo"\al. The whole of 
our taxes, say the " Recollections," were fifty-five 
dollars — being just about tlie amcnuit of the Boston 
collectors' commissions in that town. The family 
left Boston in September, 1792, and oru" associate 
followed them in December. 

AVhile every thing wore a smiling welcome, there 
was in store a great calamity for their adopted city. 
They were scarcely settled there when, in July, 1793, 
the Yelloiij Ftvcr broke out, and soon spreading 
rapidly, obliged all the citizens who could remove 



19 

to seek safety in the country. The counting-liousc 
of our friend was near Walnut street whaif — a fiital 
neighborhood. He records the hoiTors of this memo- 
rable affliction as extensive and lieart-rending. It 
passed away with the frosts of Autumn, and the city 
regained its cheerfuhicss with health. 

The place of residence of the fomily was on the 
north side of Market street, (Xo. 319,) mid-way 
between Eighth and Ninth streets. Nothing can be 
more complete than the change in this part of the 
to\A-n. It is now the chosen place of active business. 
A domestic house, or mere family abode is rare, and 
scarcely seen. Wholesale and retail business is 
actively carried on. Private residences are singular. 
It ^^■^ll scarcely be credited by those who are now in 
early or middle life, that this was a most fashionable 
neighborhood. Now, almost aU are devoted to acti^-e 
business, Avhich were then the abodes of wealth and 
trancpiil enjoyment. Families occupied almost all 
of the houses — some of them beinsr the homes of 
bachelors of wealth, equally devoted to the display 
of elegance. The north-west corner of ]Markct and 
Ninth streets was held by such a gentleman. A 
custom prevailed to make the pavement along the 
north side of the street a resort on Sunday afternoons 
and evenings, of gay and well dressed persons, male 
and female ; not less crowded than a -visitor at Paris 
is struck Avith seeing in the neighborhood of the Bois 
de Boulogne. At that period the south-eastern part 
of the to-rni, which has undergone a change, Avas also 
especially a fashionable place of abode. The theatre 



20 

still stands in South street, on the south side, above 
Fourth street, but its occupation and use are of a 
different kind, being transformed into a respectable 
distillery. He wrote to a friend in 1854, that he 
had seen assembled at his father's of an evening, in 
a social way, the three Princes of Orleans, one of 
whom became King Louis Philipe; TallejTand, and 
his inseparable companion, Beaumez, Volney, and, 
he thinks, the Duke of Liancourt, and many other 
distingmshed French noblemen, emigrants — such as 
Talon, a jurist of great eminence in the Parliamen- 
tary Courts of Louis XVI. Xo one now living here 
probably, carries with him a recollection and impres- 
sion of such royal and high-bred companionship at 
home. The foreigners themselves, and all of their 
personal friends in Philadelphia, are, it may be 
supposed, now no more. Comparisons with foreign 
statesmen and philosophers must have tended to 
stimidate or assuage domestic ambition, and suggest 
errors to be corrected, or defects to be supplied — or, 
it may be, motives for contentment anil national 
pride. 

AU of the friends of Mr. Breck describe him as of 
an affectionate temper, a generous and unselfish dis- 
position, on which many claims Avcre made ; fond of 
social intercourse and of liabitual cheerfulness and 
vivacity of spirit and carriage. His feelings of kind- 
ness found exercise, especially towards children. He 
visited for many years, according to the rector of his 
church, the " Parish schools," with frequency and 
TOth the most lively interest ; and by the spright- 



21 

lincss and bonijjnity of his mannor, completely won 
the hearts of all the pupils, who looked forward to 
the day of his coming as to a holiday. " I cannot 
be mistaken," he proceeds, " in pronoimcing liim a 
man of warm aftections. There is a law of reciprocity 
governing this matter which is, I think, universal. 
A man so well beloved of all who knew him, must 
have a loving heart himself." 

One of his best public efforts was a discourse before 
the Society of the Sons of New Enirland, of the City 
and County of Philadelphia, on the history of the 
early settlement of their country. It breathes a 
spirit of filial aff'ection for his fither's birth-place and 
his own. "While it extenuates no former errors of 
bigotry or prejudice, and explains the subsequent 
absence of them, with better knowledge of the world 
and lapse of time. Many off'ences had been made 
capital which are not so by the laws of England. " It 
was," says he, " a bloody code, rigidly earned out for 
many years, and led to sanguinary executions in their 
after history. The rigid construction" he adds, " put 
by our earlier ancestors on the Indian code, leaves 
them liable, I may think, to the imputation in some 
things, of dark prejudice and obstinate bigotry." 
Such, he acknowledges was the state of intolerance 
at an early day, when toleration had been called a 
crime. But persecution, he assures us, had long since 
ceased when he returned amonij them. Not a vestise 
of it remained. " Puritan jealousy and intolerance 
had whoUy disappeared." It is well known to us of 
the present day here and everj" where, that liberal 



90 



education succeeded, which has been prolific in its 
fruits. C'olleges are multiplied, and scholars are 
instructed there who give freely their acquirements 
to the country and the world. No one now asks, 
"who reads an American book'?" with Prescott's 
histories in his hand. 

He was at one time a member of the regiment of 
Macpherson's Blues, composed of a large number of 
young men of this city and neighborliood. From a 
memorandum in his diary, he seems to have with- 
drawn from this corps. He writes that he came to 
town to unite himself once more to INIcPherson's 
Blues, rather than submit to the call which he had 
received to muster with the mihtia ; but General 
Macphcrson had informed him that the President had 
never accepted their tender of services made in the 
preceding- July or August, — tendered in the event of 
a war with England. 

He was a member of the 18th Congress, from 
1823 to 1825. While there the choice of President 
came before that body, on the failure of an election 
by the people. ]\Ir. Breck on that eventfid occasion, 
alone of all the Pennsylvania delegation, voted for 
John Quincy Adams — every one of his colleagues 
voting for General Andrew Jackson. Mr. Adams 
told him that, although he knew his vote could not 
be operative on account of the votes being given by 
States, yet he felt more anxious about it than about 
any other. Mr. Breck replied, that his vote was 
given both to satisfy his judgment and to gratify his 
feelings. 



23 

The friends of Mr. Breck bclie^•e that he never 
had what could be properly called a quarrel. His 
tendencies were pacific. But in tliis point he 
resembled a great man ^vl^ose business was war. Tlie 
Duke of Wellington more than once in the course 
his correspondence, declares that lie never quarreled 
with any man in his life. 

Our friend became a member of this Society in 
1825, and has always manifested a deep interest, and 
even taken an active one in its concerns — furnishing 
occasionally valuable materials for its records. It 
were anxiously to be wished that more of its asso- 
ciates could indidge a like disposition. The very 
existence of the body was once threatened by indif- 
ference on the part of many; and it was preserved 
mainly by the zealous interposition of Mr. Breck. A 
proposition haAing been made to dissolve the Society, 
he addressed a letter to Mr. John Vaughan, expres- 
sive of much solicitude and direct argument against 
tlie measure. In this letter he enclosed a list of 
members, and expresses himself thus : " You will 
see tliat the deaths arc 22 ; the resic-nations 55, and 
the number remaining as members is 53. Perliaps 
several of those who have resigned, may be induced 
to rejoin. At any rate, even with our present number, 
there is no occasion to dissolve or to think of any 
such thing. Should you be of this opinion, please 
to return me the list after conferring with Mr. Lea- 
rning. I will draw up a report upon the subject." 
March 15th, 1838. 

The late Peter Stephen Duponceau, a man of dis- 



24 

tinguislied learning, refers to this circumstance in 
his will, dated 1839, with much interest. "The 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania" lie says, " is in 
danger of perishing for want of support. AVliile 
almost every other State has an Historical Society, 
shall it be said that Pennsylvania wants oneT' 
" Science and literature are the glory of a State ; 
canals and railroads are perishable. The noble 
aqueducts, temples, and roads of the Greeks and 
Romans have perished, but their literary fame will 
last forever." Let this be clierished and observed as 
the legacy of a dying friend. 

If a tendency of this kind should again occur, it 
will arise, not from any deficiency in the nature of 
the association, or means of wide-spread usefiUuess, 
but in the want of zeal and fellowship, only too con- 
picuous. An apartment of more easy access would 
perhaps, be valuable; but frequent and friendly 
intercouse is indispensable. Let this spirit of mem- 
bership be borne in mind. Let every one be present 
at the regular meetings Avlien not otherwise particu- 
larly engaged ; and let him visit the room at least 
once or twice a week, and remember that other 
Institutions of the same name in different parts of 
the country are active, and in their works conspic- 
uous. Much matter has been accunudated here. It 
would be ungratefid to many liberal donors and a 
reproach to existing membership, if it should be 
suifered to perish. A portion of Mr. Brcck's library 
Avas bequeathed by him to the Historical Society. 
Tills, although not large, should remind us of a 



s 



25 

bcqiipst of great liberality and magnitude, wliich 
awaits circumstances and time for its fulfilment. 
But it nmst be met by corresponding preparations 
on the part of the Society, which should be at all 
times in progress, or the hope, liowever ardent and 
possibly substantial, may entirely fail. You must 
have a temple fit to receive the offering, or the 
offering will never come. 

He was a Trustee of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, and in the Board of Directors of the Philadel- 
phia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, 
and a member of the Common Council. He was 
especially attached to the Institution for the Blind, 
which he assisted to found, and was long the Presi- 
dent. That Society was indebted to him for several 
discourses full of good feehng and just sentiment. 
Among these was a sketch of the benevolent services 
of the late Jacob G. Morris, in 1854: In the same 
year a short biography of llobert M. Patterson ; and 
in 1857 an address to the Pupils of the Institution 
of the Blind, at the distribution of the New Testa- 
ment and Book of Psalms, bequeathed by Miss Sarah 
Stille. Besides other Reports, he made one especially 
on the foundation of a ' Home for the industrious 
bUnd, which was carried into effect by the Managers. 
This Society was one of the objectsof his testamentary 
bounty. Soon after the attack on Fort Sumter, he 
was at a concert of the Pupils of this Institution, and 
occupied a seat on the platform. He here availed 
liimself of an opportunity, as he had done on former 
occasions, to manifest his deep interest in the cAcnts 



26 

that have been crowded into the months elapsed 
since the opening of the Southern rebellion. At the 
close of the concert a call was made for the " Star 
Spangled Banner," and it was sung with great spirit. 
At the last chorus Mr. Breck sprang up in A'iew of 
the audience, (about 700 persons,) and waving his 
hat over his head, called for three cheers for " the 
Union and the Constitution, one and indivisible" 
adding, " I was a man when they were formed, and 
God forbid that I should live to witness their down- 
fall." The cheers were given with three times three, 
to the great wonderment of tlie blind pupils, who 
knew not what it all meant. This relation is given 
by a gentleman who was present. 

His "Recollections" are styled those of "Samuel 
Breck, Sweet Briar, in the township of Philadelphia, 
State of Pennsylvania, removed to the city of I'hila- 
delphia in December 1835 ; having resided at Sweet 
Briar about tlurty-eight years." This would carry 
back his establishment there to the year 179 7, having 
previously resided in the city for more than five 
consecutive years. It was during a part of tliat time 
that he had been a member of Macpherson's Blues, 
Avhich fine regiment of volunteer infantry was col- 
lected for the purpose of opposing the AVhisky 
Insurrection, as it was called, in the interior of the 
State. He was married to the daughter of Mr. John 
Ross, a highly respectable merchant, in the latter 
part of 1795, December 24 th. She died in November 
1859, at the age of 86. Sweet Briar was a charming 
spot, a short distance from town on the west bank of 



27 

the ScliU} Ikill. He represents, as tlic natural result 
of his residence in the country, a fondness for read- 
ins: of almost every kind relatinc; to farmin<T in 
general, as practiced here and abroad — to liorticul- 
ture, botany, &c., &c. 

lie was a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania, 
for the district composed of the City and County of 
Philadelphia. Witli his attention earnestly directed 
to the subject, he published a sketch of the intt>rnal 
impro\ements already made by Pennsylvania, mth 
observations upon her physical and fiscal means for 
their extension, particularly as they have reference 
to the future growth and prosperity of Philadelpliia ; 
illustrated by a map of the State of Pennsylvania 
This pamplilet soon passed through two editions, the 
second dated in 1818. It is distinguished by an 
ardent spirit of patriotism and attachment to the city 
and State. He refers with pride to " the inexhaus- 
tible resources of the future prosperity of Pennsyl- 
vania." He dwells too, upon her ha\ing ever 
maintained the highest credit in money-matters ; and 
adds : " her credit is now unbounded ; she has always 
been jealous of it, and will never run the least liazard 
of putting it in jeopardy." (Note, page 24.) How 
far this prediction may have been at all times literally 
confirmed, might be subject to question under the 
unfriendly criticism of Sydney Smith and others in 
England. We may rc\st satisfied at least with the 
belief that it has been fairly redeemed. The laudable 
object of his pamphlet Mr. Breck declares to be two- 
fold: First, to endeavor to vindicate the aspersed 



28 

reputation of Pennsylvania from the general accusa- 
tion of indifference Avitli regard to her internal 
improvements; and secondly, to show the superior 
situation of Philadelphia, geographically considered, 
for the attraction of the great and increasing trade 
of the counties bordering on the Susquehanna, the 
Lakes and the Western rivers. 

The name of Harris must be regarded as a historic 
one. It is that of the State Capital, and of the founder 
of the seat of government of Pennsylvania — the first 
white child born to the west of C'onewago creek, and 
the first person of European origin that settled on the 
spot where now stands the town of Hamsburg. In the 
bosom of this wilderness a niimber of Indians once 
called on him for an additional supply of spirituous 
liquor. On his refusing to gratif^' them, they drag-ged 
him from his hut and bound him to the mulberry 
tree, at the foot of which, by liis own direction, he 
now Lies buried. There they declared they meant to 
biu'n him alive. Ury wood was gathered, and a fire 
held in readiness to kindle it. The yells of the 
savages echoed along the shore, while with demoniac 
gestures, they danced around their victim. The fire 
was brought to tlie pile and about being applied, 
when a baud of friendly Indians burst from the 
woods and set lum at liberty. These Indians were 
led on by a negro man named Hercules, a sla^e 
belonging to Mr. Harris, who, at the first alarm, ran 
to a neighboring tribe to beg for succor, and now 
brought it to his master's relief This narrative was, 
under the title of an Historical Anecdote of Mr. 



\ 



r 



29 

John Harris, Scur., prepared by Mr. Breck, and 
communicated February 21st, 182T, at a meeting of 
the Council of the Historical Society. 

It is not intended to criticise or minutely review 
the different productions of om- venerable associate. 
They were always kindly expressed, and, like his 
o^^^l personal address, sufficiently studied and agree- 
able, and full of intelligence. 

A favorite tlieme appears to have been the Ufe and 
character of those with whom he had enjoyed semi- 
official or individual intercourse. On the 20th of 
September, 1828, one of these was dehvered byliim 
as Vice President, before the Blockley and Merion 
Agricidtural Society, on the death of their late Pre- 
sident, Judge Peters. It is worthy of remark, that 
in the first sentence he expresses a hope to be excused 
for offering, of his own accord, to make the address. 
As the second officer of the Society himself, he 
regarded it as in some measure his duty to notice the 
melancholy event. He proceeds to detail Avith good 
feeling and in happy language, a variety of facts 
which enabled him to portray the subject of his dis- 
course, "as a patriot, a legislator, a jurist, a firmer, 
and a man in social life." He adds : " As a husband, 
a parent, a neighbor, a sincere christian, there was 
in reference to Judge Peters but one voice. Every 
one united in praising his religious and domestic 
Airtues." 

Mr. Breck has preserved in the diary which was 
commenced as such June 13th, 1800,a printed speech 
dehvered by liim in the Senate of Pennsylvania, in 



30 

February, 1821, " on the total abolition of slavery in 
Pennsylvania." 

In May, 1843, a historical sketch of Continental 
paper money was presented by him to the American 
Philosophical Society. He takes occasion here to 
vindicate the time in which he was writing, from the 
allegation of liavino; declined in moral worth ; of 
having chshonored, by cumiing and crime, the cause 
of republicanism, and disgraced the good name which 
their Revolutionary fathers have established and 
transmitted. He states that extravagant speculations 
in land and operations in stock, with ruinous conse- 
quences, had formerly prevailed : that Lotteries had 
been an universal expedient for raising money ; that 
politics had exhibited infinitely more violence, more 
marked separation in social life, and more vindent 
hatred: that temperance has succeeded greatly to 
mtemperance ; and that in religion, the most impres- 
sive and salutary reform has taken place. At the 
period of our Revolution he insists, the superstition 
and cruelty of witchcraft were only passing away, to 
be succeeded by religious indifference and rank infi- 
delity. The people collectively, had now become 
more sober in their habits, and more serious in the 
worship of God ; and they would find those plague- 
spots which continue to disfigure their moral character 
gi-adually removed by the joint influence of tempe- 
rance and religion. One distinctive mark of refined 
civilization, he adds, has been allowed to form a 
national trait by universal consent, abroad and at 
home, namely, the deference paid to woman. 



31 

"NMicn a member of the Senate of Pennsyh-ania, 
in Marcli, 1833, he made a report as cue of a com- 
mittee, shomng that an error in the census had been 
conmiittcd by the marshals in returning an increase 
of 21 1 slaves in 18-20, to 386 in 1830 ; whereas there 
had been, as at all former times, a large decrease. 
The State was thus exonerated from the stigma of 
fostering in her bosom, as woidd appear b}- the 
census, a nursery of slaves. 

He was long President of the Athenanun, and 
delivered an address at the laying of the corner- 
stone of the new hall, November 1st, 1845. 

In the 6th volume of the Collections of this 
Society, (p. 392,) is found a lecture, voluntarily read 
by :\Ir. Breck, on the Hfe of George Whitefield. He 
here relates the well known anecdote told by Frank- 
lin: "I happened, says he, to attend one of his 
(AVhitfield's), sermons, in the coiu'se of which I per- 
ceived he intended to finish with a collection, and I 
silently resolved he should get nothing from me. I 
had in my pocket a handful of copper money, tlu"ee 
or four sdver dollars, and five pistoles in gold. 
As he proceeded I began to sQfteu, and concluded 
to give the copper. Another stroke of his oratory 
made me ashamed of that, and determined me to 
give the silver ; and he finished so admirably, that I 
emptied my pocket wholly into the collector's dish, 
gold and all." The habit of diarising enabled .Mr. 
Breck to turn readily to such persons of historic 
name as he regarded somewhat similar in power to 
"Whitefield. He speaks of another miracle of 



32 

eloquence in Martin Luther ; of INIelanctlion as 
suited to chasten the vehemence, and even Adolence 
of the great Reformer ; of Calvin, with learning 
various and profound ; of John Knox and his stormy 
and eventful life. Then passing " from the rude and 
boisterous scenes of Scotland to the polished and 
gorgeous halls of Louis XIV., from the gloom of 
HoljTood House to the fairy land of Versailles," he 
finds Fcnelon, Bossuct, Bourdaloue and ]\Iassillon. 

The name of Breck is an old English word, derived 
from the Saxon. It is found in the dictionary of a 
hundred years ago, although even there marked 
obsolete. It is interpreted a Bruise, or a gap in a 
hedge. It is uncommon even as a name, and used 
only as such at the present day. 

During the last few years he was amusing himself 
in microscopical in\cstigations, and in procuring 
various objects connected with them. Tliis is one 
of the many proofs of his fondness for occupation, and 
that he was never idle. This disposition never 
seemed to abate, but grew with his lengthened years. 
He was enabled to perform much mental exercise by 
the enjoyment of a remarkable degree of health and 
"vigor. In 1836, we are told, he was interested, Avith 
three other gentlemen, in promoting the manufacture 
of sugar from the beet root. He was himself one 
of the publishing committee of the Society which had 
been formed for that purpose. He records himself 
at one time when living in the country, occupied 
with Latin and other studies. 

His daughter, and only surviving child at the time 



33 

of her loss, was born June 1st, 1807, and died in 
early yonth, Jnly, 1828. 

Mr. Breck records that she died in his arras. He 
commnnicates in a letter to his sister, Jidy '27th, 1828, 
Avliat he terms this most afflictive news. " Thus," 
he -RTitcs, " is my great hold on this earth dissolved ; 
and she whose future comfort and happiness was my 
great study, and a source of anxious thought, is 
snatched from me. No worldly transaction of mine 
took place that had not reference to that dear child's 
fixture life. I am now without solicitude, it is true ; 
but I am also without her society, her companion- 
ship, and 1 may add, without her counsel, Avhich was 
generally the dictate of good sense and mature judg- 
ment." In another letter to his sister, dated Septem- 
ber 18th, 1828, he ^^Tites: " One subject is forever 
uppermost in my thoughts. It seems often as if I 
took a melancholy pleasure in nourishing grief. In 
spite of myself, I ha^•e her before my mind's eje in 
my solitary walks, * * * until the last sad week of 
her existence rushes on my mind, and makes, by its 
most painfid recollection, my heart move within me. 
An effort to shut the whole scene out follows, and 
succeeds for a time, when the dear image recurs 
again, and so twenty times a day. But I trust time 
will weaken, without wholly obliterating, these sad 
recollections." 

Mr. Breck was born July 17th, 1771, and died 
August 31st, 1862, having reached the age of 
ninety-one years, one month and fourteen day.s. 
This could not be considered antediluvian, but it was 
greatly prolonged. Infancy, youth, manhood, matu- 

3 " 



34 

rity and old age — all had been his. The period of 
three score years and ten, generally looked upon as 
a limit, and far beyond the a\crage duration, was 
passed when a generation of time was still in reserve 
for him. A rare instance is sometimes published, 
equal to, or even greater, than this. But how few 
have witnessed it within the circle of their friends'? 
In all the stages of human existence he seems to 
have received marks of approbation and kindness 
suited to his years. It appears to be well authenti- 
cated that he witnessed, from his female attendant's 
arms, that proud memorial of American heroism and 
prelude to independence, the battle of Bunker HiU. 
Tliis circumstance is mentioned by himself in his 
" IlecoUections," Avliere he declares that he feels 
himself identified with the Revolution, having been 
nursed at Lexington, wliere, as he says, the first 
blood was spilt ; and he was an unconscious spectator 
of the great battle of Bunker's IlilL 

Would it be fanciful to suppose that this event, 
which took place the 17th of June, 1775, could have 
had an inspiring iniiuence on the mind of one who 
was so mere a child 1. He was then three years and 
eleven months old. There may have been lively 
though vague impressions, which as he grew up, 
were frequently renewed and strengthened ; and a 
laudable pride felt in this early occurrence, may have 
given force to his patriotism, which was constitu- 
tional. 

At a stated meeting of the Historical Society on 
the 8th of September last, the Recording Secretary 



35 

informed the meeting of the loss recently sustained 
in the death of one of its Vice Presidents, the ^ene- 
rable Samuel Breck. An announcement is also made 
in the No. of the " Xew England Historical and 
Genealogical Register and Antiquarian Journal" of 
Boston, just received. Among the deaths is the 
following : 

" Hon. Samuel Breck, of Philadelphia, corres- 
ponding Secretary. The latter was one of the 
Honorary Vice-Presidents of the Society, in the 
prosperity of which he took great interest. He 
was 91 years of age, being the oldest member of 
the Society at the time of his death." 

It was soon felt that something more was due from 
you than the mere solemn mention by one of your 
members, of his decease. The impretcnding notice 
now submitted by the request of the Society, is a 
tribute in compliance willingly devoted to merit 
wdaich is more highly appreciated, as it is more 
completely understood. 

During nearly the whole of his long life, he 
enjoyed health of body and mind, and this has been 
regarded the greatest blessing that can be received, 
just as the greatest treasure is said to be a true 
friend. He required little professional medical 
attention probably at any time, and certainly for the 
six years immediately preceding the spring of 1861. 
He had labored, however, for a lew years, under a 
liability to some difficulty of the heart, particularly 
'vhen under the least mental excitement. In the 
month of April, 1861. he had a chill and fever, 



36 

resulting in a paroxysm of intermittent. This was 
succeeded the next day by a return of his usual 
health. At the expiration of three weelcs he had 
another similar attack, followed as before, by a return 
of health ; and thus, every three weeks there was a 
paroxysm of intermittent fever, lasting only one day. 
About this time a circumstance occurretl which 
was fully indicative of his characteristic disposition. 
A recital of it will not be deemed out of place. An 
early education among pious and learned men in 
France, under papal authority, which has been stated, 
left impressions which seem never to have forsaken 
liim. They kept his thoughts and pen at work after 
he had entered his ninety-fir^t year. The residt was 
the composition of a manuscript and artistic volume 
of considerable size, which he styles an abridged 
history of the 45 Popes, the latest of whom was 
Celestin the first, A. D. 423. On the title page is 
written "Tableau Synoptique des Papes, Depuis 
Saint Pierre Jusqu'a Pius IX." Time was not left 
him to complete the work, as he died soon after tliis 
volume was finished. It begins with St. Peter, the 
first Bishop of Rome, "A. D., 1, Tiberius, Claudius, 
Caligula and Nero, Emperors." To each one of the 
Popes is devoted a page, containing an engraved 
likeness. Tliese likenesses are embellished in suc- 
cession with different handsome and tastefid drawings 
by Mr. Breck himself, with artistic skill. They are 
variously and richly adorned. The whole worlc 
speaks with cmpliasis for the tendency of the autlior 
to be always in occupation, and to be occupied in 



37 

seeking and giving instruction. He had much Roman 
history to look into. He had also his natural kind 
feelings to gratify in the disposition of the book. It 
is presented witli a most amiable manuscript dedica- 
tion, as it may be called, to the accomplished dauglitcrs 
of one of the gentlemen who became his executors. 
The wliole ^•olume is written in a clear good pen- 
mansliip. In addressing the young ladies he says : 

'• In my old age I have amused myself by ^\Titing 
in this book an abridged history of the forty-five first 
Popes, beginning with St. Peter. Their portraits 
are placed at the head of each historical narrative, 
with a framing Aaried according to my fancy, and 
drawn by my own hand in 1860. 

As I possess the portraits of all the successors of 
those in this volume, down to the present Pope, Pius 
IX, inclusive, I am, in another -volume, continuing 
the compendium of each one in the same concise 
manner as those now oft'ered for your acceptance, 
and which is designed to accompany this gift, should 
a merciful ProAidence allow me to finisli it. 
Your afi"ectionate and aged friend, 

SAM'L. BRECK.* 

*Since this "memoir" was publicly read, it has been made known to 
me that Mr. Breck unexpectedly became possessed of the materials for 
his History of the Popes. He saw, one day, in a shop a large sheet 
covered with the heads of the Popes, each .about the size of a dollar. 
This he purchased. Then his eyes rested on a History of the Popes, 
and he turned over in his mind the poss.iblity of making some use of 
the sheet in connection with the History. He purchased the book and 
procured a bhink book from the stationer; leaving Ihe shop fully 
equipped for his work, and made enquiry as to the authority of the 
author. For the execution of the work he cut off one of the heads and 



38 

Mr. Brock's character may be summed up in a few 
words, with some danger of repetition. lie was cor- 
rect in deportment and honorable in conduct; of 
amiable temper and lively and affectionate feelings ; 
quick in perception, and of tenacious memory and 
sound judgment ; industrious when he had any thing 
particularly to do, and looking out for it when he 
had not ; of strict punctuality ; a good christian and 
husband, father, neighbor and friend, and a patriotic 
citizen ; domestic in habit and temperate in living — 
yet well inclined to social intercourse. 

His Avill had been executed in due form, imder the 
date of March 1st, 18G0. A codicil, dated 1861, 
July JjOth, was prepared, it would seem, while these 
intermittent attacks were in progress. They admon- 
ished him perhaps, of the necessity of putting his 
house in order. This codicil, like the original -will, was 
written by himself It sets forth that the alterations 
are made in sundry legacies " on account of the great 
change in our national affairs, Avhich having occa- 
sioned a depreciation in property by an enormous 
increase of taxation and prostration of business, may 
materially diminish the value of my estate." It 
proceeds to reduce several legacies of the will, and 
revokes the cash legacies of $300 each for the Phil- 
pasted it near the top of the page. He then read the Iiistory of the 
Pope cai-efuUy, and condensed the principal facts into li.ilf a page. 
Tliis, I am now assured, was the beginning and the ending of his 
researches. It was received from his own lips by a friend and near 
relation, wlio has communicated it to me, with a suggestion that the 
name of tlie author of tlie History sliould be iilaced in a foot note. The 
work is "A Complete History of the Popes of Rome from, &(.-., trans- 
lated from the French of Louis Marie De Cormenin." 



c 



39 

atlclpliia Athcntrum and the rcnnsylvania Historical 
Societ}^ ; while the bequests of books to those insti- 
tutions are confirmed. 

This three weeks' intermittent continued until the 
succeeding winter. As cold weatlier supervened, it 
left him; but it was followed by other symptoms, 
evidently the precursor of the disease wliich termi- 
nated his life. These continued to annoy him luitil 
the 21st of August, 1862. On the evening of that 
day he expressed a desire to see his physician, and 
complained of great languor and fotigue, and general 
malaise. The next morning he was found on the 
floor in a lielpless condition, and his whole left side 
was in a state of paralysis. He continued to grow 
worse until the 31st of August, andbreatlicd his last 
at 12 o'clock of that day. During this last illness 
his mind did not cease to be active ; and generally 
it was quite rational, appearing to be fully aware of 
all that transpired around him. 

His length of life and tranquillity of departure 
from it, may be in a great degree imputed to an 
amiable disposition. He was warmly attached to 
his friends, and his sympathy for the afflicted was 
most kind and active. These details have been now 
somewhat minutely stated, with a view to exhiljit an 
example of the probable end of a life so kindly occu- 
pied, after its tranquil and benevolent course ended. 
Both may be made, happily, the subjects of successful 
imitation. 

A pious spirit however seems to have chiefly 
aided him in his departing hours. He had habitually 



40 

manifested a more than common respect, wliicli was 
real and devout, for religion and its institutions and 
practices. For many years he had been a commu- 
nicant at St. Luke's Episcopal Cliurch ; he was an 
active member of the Vestry, and at all times present 
at the meetings ; and he persevered in his attendance 
on public worship. lie was visited, at liis own request 
after his fatal attack, by a distinguished clergyman, 
and expressed to him with great clearness, his trust 
in his Saviour, and his readiness to depart. He 
desired prayers to be offered, wishing the attendance 
of all the family, and specifying the prayer for the 
sick on the point of departure. His utterance was 
imperfect, but all was calm and clear. 

It is attested by one Avho knew him best in this 
respect, that his piety did not render him morose or 
severe in manner, but just chastened the natural 
gaiety of his disposition into a beautiful and most 
attractive cheerfulness. He was hvcly and buoyant, 
and retained an interest in passing events it may be 
literally said, to the day of his death. After he was 
stricken Avitli paralysis and one hand was entirely dis- 
abled, his patriotism was still manifested. On learning 
from a friend some cheering news respecting his 
beloved country, he raised his eyes and his hand in 
an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving, and moved 
his yet remaining vigorous hand above his head, and 
waved it three times around ; — a silent but cheering 
expression of his joy. The medical gentlemen who 
attended him, also informs us that the ardor of his 
patriotism was extinguished only by death. 



SIjc IJistorical Socictir of |1fnnsiift;iiii;t. 



The want of a Historical Society of Pennsylvania lias 
been felt for generations. Although, however, various 
^ thoughtful and patriotic individuals have taken means 

to preserve records of the Colony and State, a snfhcient 
combination was not formed to achieve this purpose in 
an effectual manner, till December 2, lb2i ; whicli point, 
therefore, dates as the origin of the present association. 

At an earlier period, and during the colonial condi- 
tion of the settlement, extensive records were kept by 
J, more than one religious body ; and a constant intercourse 

with England kept Pennsylvania as much before the 
public mind as it may have been thought to deserve ; 
while, at an after moment, the writings of Voltaire and 
other imaginative authors, may perhaps have made the 
. infant combination so noted as to do awaj- with anv 
urgency for a history so obscure and remote. The Picvo- 
lutionary war involved interests on a larger scale, and 
was connected by many with theoretical views of the 
rights and destinies of the human race at large : and the 
(juiet settlement in a vast forest, became, in comparison, 
an object of but little attention. 

When the war was over, and men had time to breathe 
from the involvement of great interests and from despe- 
rate struggles, calmer minds soon recollected the neces- 
sity of more adequate means for the presei-vation of 
records. Then it was found that impediment aro.^e from, 
the divergency of views and habits. Impressions remain- 
ing from military and political struggles, and existing 



differences of religious opinions and feelings, were bard 
to reconcile in a common labour until the period we 
have mentioned. 

The names of the memhers present at the inaugura- 
tion meeting were Roberts Vaux, Stephen Duncan, 
Thomas I. Wharton, William Rawle, Jr., Dr. Benjamin 
H. Coates, Dr. Caspar Wistar, and George Washington 
Smith. It was well understood that the late eminent 
William Eawle, senior, and John F. Watson, though 
personally absent, were to be considered as present; and 
they are therei'ore in the category of foundation menr- 
bers. Several other gentlemen gave their attendance at 
the jjreliminary conferences, and, it is believed, at some 
of the regular meetings, the minutes of which are not 
preserved. At the first annual election, held February 
28, 1825, the Society, which had hitherto appointed 
Roberts Vaux as chairman, filled the j^lace of President 
with the late William Rawle, senior ; and the Vice 
Presidents were Roberts Vaux and Thomas Duncan, 
the Corresponding Secretary, Daniel B. Smith, and the 
Recording Secretary, G. Washington Smith. On the 
ISth of May, the Council, under the constitution, held 
its first meeting. In this body, besides the names 
already given, we find those of Dr. Thomas C. James, 
W^illiam Rawle, junior, Thomas H. White, Dr. Samuel 
Jackson, (Professor,) William Mason Walmsley, and 
Gerard Ralston. 

On the Sd of October, 1825, ten committees were 
appointed, containing many names, to report, with 
deliberation,, on as many subdivisions into which an 
examination of the historical records of Pennsylvania 
were supposed to be naturally divided. Some of these 
committees reported ; but a larger number omitted to do 
so, although the inquiries thus set on foot gave rise to 
some subsequent papers. 



In December, 1825, the publication of tlie Memoirs 
was commenced. Most of these -were newly compiled 
essays, Avith some orations, all intended to introduce the 
respective subjects ; but the volumes included a few 
original documents. They were continued till 1840, in 
four volumes. In 1845-1848, a volume was issued under 
the title of " Bulletin ;" and, after the formation of the 
Publication Fund, the Memoirs were resumed, with an 
enlarged page and in a finer style, by fifth, sixth and 
seventh volumes, as far as 1860. 

Of later years, with the growth of Philadelphia, and 
by the exertions of active and influential members, the 
magnitude, and, it is to be hoped, the usefulness, of the 
Historical Society have been greatly increased. Citizens 
at large have taken more interest in its advancement ; 
its library at length amounts to 7000 volumes; and a 
handsome collection of portraits of Governors of the 
State and of other distinguished individuals, with 
several landscape views of interesting localities, hang 
on its walls ; the number of valuable relics in its pos- 
session is augmented, and is still growing; funds pre- 
served for a building, for publication, for binding the 
books, &c., now in total amount exceed nineteen thou- 
sand dollars ; and very liberal contributions in books, 
and, in one instance, of relics that cannot be replaced, 
have been received from the governments of the United 
States, of Pennsylvania, and of Great Britain, as well as 
from foreign and American Societies, and from the 
family of William Penn. Valuable and important lega- 
cies are promised for the future. 

Still, it is necessary for truth and for the objects of 
the Society to say, that there is, and for a long coming 
period can be, no provision for the increase and com- 
pletion of its library, other than in the liberality of its 
friends ; and the Society, therefore, is yet in need of 



such donations as may be worthy of preservation, and 
may correspond with the views of jjersons who vahie 
and wisii to promote these inijuiries. In some depart- 
ments of American Iiistory the collection is, as yet, very 
incomplete; and the Executive Committee have it at 
present in view to take measures for extending it, so 
tiiat the student may find, in these points, all the refer- 
ences needed for his researches. For the erection of a 
fire-proof hall, too, a "Building Fund" has been com- 
menced, for which twenty-five hundred dollars have been 
collected, and it is hoped that the obvious need for such 
a protection may induce the liberal to aid in the under- 
taking. 

The Publication Fund was commenced in 1854; and 
now amounts to upwards of fifteen thousand dollars, 
held in trust by John Jordan, Jr., George Shars- 
wooD, and Oswald Thompson. 

A payment of twenty dollars obtains the right to 
receive, during life, a copy of each publication. For 
Libraries this privilege continues twenty years. 

There have been publishdl since its foundation, — 

In 1856, The IIistory of Braddock's Expedition. 

In 1858, Contributions to American History. 

In 1860, Record of Upland, and Denny's Military 
Journal. ' 

There is in preparation for publication during the 
next winter, 

The History of the Town of Bethlehem, and of 
THE Moravian Settlements in North Eastern 
Pennsylvania, from original sources, in large oc- 
tavo, handsomely illustrated. 



HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



Officers for 1863. 

'Pres'dent. 
.TOSEPn R. INGERSOLL. 

V/ce Presidents. 

J. FRANCIS FISHER, 
GEORGE CHAMBERS, 

OF CnAJliiEliSBUIiG. 

BENJAMIN II. COATES, 
NEVILLE B. CRAIG, 

OP PiTTSBUKGII. 

Treasurer. 
CHARLES M. MORRIS. 

Eecording Secretary. 
SAMUEL L. SMEDLEY. 

Corresponding Secretary. 
HORATIO G. JONES. 

Librarian. 
SAMUEL HAZARD. 

Library Committee. 

JOHN JORDAN, Jr., 
CHARLES J. BIDDLE, 
JOHN A. MCALLISTER. 

Publication Committee. 

WILLIAM DUANE, 
CHARLF^ H. HTTCmNSON, 
JOHN ASIIUURST, Ji{. 

Finance Committee. 

EDWARD ARMSTRONG, 
JOSEPH CARSON, 
AUBREY n. SMITH. 



EESIDENT MEMBERS. 



Those marked witli au * are Life-Members. 



*Anen, Wm. H. 

Allihnne, Saml. Austiu 

Allison, Jos. 

Ashbridge, Wm. 

Addieks, John E. 

Atwood, Jno. H. 
*Armstrontf, Edward 
♦Armstroni;, Wm. G. 
*Ashton, Saml. K. 

Ashhiirst, Win. II. 
*Asliiiurst, Lewis R. 
*Ashhiirst, Henry 
*Aslihiirst, llicliard L. 
*Aslihnrst, Richard 
■*Ashhurst, Jolm 
*Ashhnrst, jr., Richard 

Andenried, Lewis 
*Ashhurst, jr., .lolm 
^Austin, Jno. B. 

Ashbnrst, Lewis 

Bradford, Chas. S. 

Baird, Heurv C, 

Bald, J. Dofsey 

Brainerd, Rev. Thos. 
*Balch, Thomas 

Bradford, Wm. 

Baldwin, Mathias W. 

Bailey, E. Westcott 

Blauehard, Wm. A. 

Baird, Wm. M. 

Ball, Georsre W. 
*Baclie, Franklin 
*Bache, T. Hewson 

Barton, Isaac 

Bates, Jos. W. 

Barclay, Clement B. 

Baker, J. B. 

Bray, Wm. K. 

Bargh, AVm. 

Barnes, Oliver W. 
*Baird, Matthew 

Barcroft, Staccy B. 

Bacon, Alexander 

Barnes, Rev. Albert 

Bettle, Wm. 

Benson, Alexander, jr. 
*Bell, John T. 
*Benners, Wm. J. 
*'Bensell, Geortce F. 
''Belts, Richard K. 

Benton, Stephen 

Biddle, Craig 

Biddle, Edward C. 



Biddle, Thos. 

Biddle, Chas. J. 

Brinton, J. II. 

Biddle, Clement 
*Biddle, Geo. W. 
'■Biddle, Thomas A. 

Blifflii, George 

Biddle, Chapman 

Blight, Atherlon 

Biddle, John B. 

Biddle, AVm. 
*Biddle, Alexander 
*Bowen, Smith 

Boardman, Rev. H. A. 

Boi-den, Edward T. 
*Bohlen, Jno. 

Boker, Geo. H. 
♦ Bofie, Adolph E. 

Brock, John P. 

Bond, Montgomery L. 

Bomherger, Rev. .j. H. 
*Bowers, Edward 

Bowen, Ezra 

Boker, Chas. S. 

Bowie, Ashhurst K. 

Boyd, W. Stokes 

Brudliead, John 

Brotherhi'ad, Wni. 
*Brown, Frederick 
*Brown, J. Johnson 

Brown, David S. 

Brown, John A. 
*Brown, David Paul 

Brown, Alexander 
♦Brown, Jos. D. 

Browne, John C. 

Browne, N. B. 

Browne, Horace G. 

Buck, Francis N. 

Budd, Thos. A. 

Buckley, Edward S. 
*Bntler, John M. 

Bnrgin, Geo. H. 

Burt, Nathaniel 

Bullitt, Jno. C. 

Budd, John B. 

Clark, Edward W. 
*Craig, Isaac Eugene 
Cadwalader, Wm. 
Caldwell, Jas. E. 
Carleton, Henry 
Carpenter, Jos. R. 
Clay, H. Gibbs 



N 



Caniic'I, S. Wilmer 

CaUklcnsh. Wm. G. 

Cain;ilK'll. St. Georj;e Tui-Ucr 

Chiuincev, Charles 

Cat.ell, a; G. 

Cabot, Joseph 

Crpifc. TIios. H. 

Chaiuiler. Jas. B. 
*Cnrver. Alexander B. 

Cadwaiader, John 

Ch.-ndler. Jos. R. 

Cartwaladev, George 

Clay, Jos. A. 

Ca'soii. Jos. 
*Chav,ibers, Wm. B. 

Cliancellor, Win. 

Chancellor. Wharton 

Clauliorn. .jaci'os L. 

Carey. Henry C. 

Caniac, Jno. B. 

Carpenter. Saml. H. 

Craven. Tlios. 
*Cresso>i, M'm. P. 

Cresson, John C. 

Cheiv, Samuel 

Cleaveland. Chas. D. 

Chihls, Geo. W. 
^Christian, Saml. J. 

Crissv, James 

Conner, PhUlp S. P. 

Cojie, Al fred 
*Cope, Caleb 

Cope, Francis R. 

Cope, Herman 

Cope, .John E. 

Cope, Tl\os. P. 

Coleman. G. Dawson 

Coehr.-m, Travis 
*Coehran, Wm. G. 
*CollinR, TiDin^'lu'St K. 

Crozer. John P. 
*Conrad, Rev. Thos. K. 

Collins. Frederiek 

Coolev, Aaron B. 
*Corlies, S. Fisher 

Coffin, Lemnel 
*ColUs. Wm. 

Coxe, Brinton 
*CofHn, Arthur G. 
*Consland, Wm. 

Coojier, Rev. C. D. 

Col well, Stephen 
*fCoates, Benj. H. 

Conily, Franklin A. 

Coi)pini;er. Wm. 

Collins, Wm. JI. 
*Coles, Edward 
*Conarroe, Geo. W. 

Cooke, Jav 

Corse. J. Si. 

Churchman, Chas. W. 



Cummins, 1). B. 
Cummisky, James 
Cunimiskey, Euirene 
CoUaday, Geo. W. 

Drayton, Wm. Heyward 

Dawson, Mordeeai L. 
*Da Costa, John C. 

Davis, Lemnel IT. 

Dare. Charles P. 

Davids. Hush 
*Dreer, Ferdinand J. 

Dreer, Frederiek A. 

Drexel, Anthonv J. 

De Silver, Harrison T. 

De Silver. Frank 

Deehert. Henry M 

Derltvshire. A. J. 

Diehi. Jolm H. 

Dickson, Samuel H., JNI. 

Dickson, Saiiinel 

D'Invillicrs. C. 

Dobsiin. Z. Poulson 
*Duane, William 

Dunlaji, Tliomas 

Dundas, James 

Ducaehet. Rev. Henry \V 

Dubois, Wm. E. 

Edwa''ds, Howard 
*Earl, Harrison 

Evans, Hora<'e 

Evans, Manlius G. 
*Errickson. Michael 
*Ellis, Charles 

Erriuicer, .J. L. 

Emory, Charles 
*Ehvyn, A. Langdon 

Frazer, John F. 

Farnum. John 

Fraley, Frederiek 

Fagan, John 
*Fahnestock, George W. 

Farmer, Jas. S. 
♦ Fleming, William W. 

Fenimore, Jason L. 
*Fell, J. Gilliugham 

Felton, S. M. 
*Fernon, Thomas S. 

Fennell, William 

Freas, Philip R. 

Field, Rev. George C. 
*Fisher, James C. 
*Fisher, Joshua Francis 

Fisher, Jabez B. 

Fling, Henrv 

Findlav, John K. 
*FouIke, William Parker 

Fox, Charles P. 

Foust, Robert M. 



1). 



Foulku, Fivnncis E. 

Foruev, Jolm W. 
*FotteraIl, Stephen G^ 

Furaess, James T. 
*rullertou, Alexander 

Fry, J. Reese 

Fry. Horace B. 

Fryer, GreviUe E. 

♦Gardette, E. B. 
*Graft', Frederick 

GraB', Charles H. 

Graeff, Edward C. 

Gratz, Simon 

Garrett, Thomas C. 

Greble, Edwin 

♦ Gerhard. Benjamin 
Gilpin, John F. 
Grig?, John W. 
Gibbons. Charles 
Gilpin, Charles 
Grim;. John 
Gilbert, D., M.D. 
Gwinn, John 
Griffiths, jr., William F. 
Gilbert. K. W., M.D. 

*Gr()Ut, Henry T. 

Goddard. Rev. Kingston 
♦Gorton, George W. 

Godwin, Francis A. 

Gordon, N. P. 

Cioforth, John 

Goodwin, Rev. D. R. 

Gross. Samuel D. 

Guillou, Constant 

Gnlager, William 

Harvey, Samuel, jr. 
Hart, Abraham 
*Hart, Wm. H. 
Hart, Thomas 
Hart. John S. 
Hare, R. Harford' 
Hare, J. I. Clark 

♦ Harrison, William Henry 

♦ Harrison, Joseph 
Haseltiue, Albert C. 
Harvey, Josiah L. 

♦Harper, Alexander J. 

Hammersly, George 

Hazard, Spencer 

Hazard, Erskine 
♦Hazard, Samuel 

Hacker, Isaiah 

Hacker, Morris 
♦Hacker, Jeremiah 
♦Haseltiue, John 
♦Harding, Jesper 
■•■•Haseltine, Ward B. 

Hayes. Isaac I. 

Haydeu. H. V. 



Hartshorne, Edward 
Hart, Charles H. 
Hall, Tliomas M. 

Hand, Jas. C. 

Harmar, Charles 
♦Hclmuth, Henry 
♦Henshaw, I. S. 
♦Henry, Morton P. 
♦Heazl'ett, Ch. F. 
♦Heberton, G. Craig 

Hill, Marshall 

Iloff, Henry K. (U. S. N.) 

Hodge, J. Ledyard 

Hobson. George W. 

HolUngsworth, Samuel 

Howe, Rev. M. A. De Wolf 
♦Houston, William C. 

Hood, Samuel 

Hopkinson, Jos. 

Hopliinson, Oliver 

Hollingsworth, Thomas G. 

Hod^-e; Hny-h L. 

Howell, Artliur H. 

Hutter, Rev. Edward W. 

Huddy, Benjamin F. 
♦Hutchinson, Charles Hare 

Hutchinson, J. Peraherlou 

Hunt, Benjamin P. 

Hurst, Edward 

Ruber, James S. 

♦IngersoU, Edward 

IngersoU, Joseph P.. 

IngersoU, Charles 
♦Ingram, Harlan 

♦James, John O. 

Jacobs, Rev. William B. 

Jenkins, J. Edward 

Jeuks, Wm. P. 
♦Jordan, John, jr. 
♦Jordati, Francis 

Jones, Horatio G. 
♦Jones, George W. 

Johnston, Alexander 
♦Jones, D. D. 
♦Jones, Andrew M. 

Johnson, J. Warner 

Jones, Samuel, M.D. 

Jones, Joseph 

Judson, Oliver A. 

Judson, W. F. 

Justice, George R. 

Juvenal, A. W. 

Kane, Robert P. 
♦ Kane, Thomas L. 
Krauth, Rev. Chas. P. 
Kelly, E. Smith 
Kent, William C. 
Kent, Rodolphus 



ICelkn-, lion. Win. D. 
Kii'ii, William 11.^ 
Kollv. Cliark'S 
Koiidiill, E. Otis 
'Kimbrr, Thomas, jr. 
King-, Koliurt P. 
Kinsoy, William 
Kiuu". Francis 
Knight, Kihvard C. 
Kiuii:, D. Rodney 
Kouigmaehcr, A. A. 

*Lanilulin, Gcorse C. 
*Laraluliu, Jas. R. 
*Laml>L-rt, John 

La Roche, V. Percy 

La Roche, Rene, M. D. 

Lardner, Jas. L., U. S. N., 

Larduer, Richard P. 

Law, Philip H. 

Leedom, B. J. 
*Lee, Georiie F. 
*Levick, Jas. J. 
*Lennig, Frederick 

Lewis, John T. 

Lewis, Abm. J. 

Lea. Isaac 
*Lejee, William R. 

Lewis, Ellis 

Lercrinit, Lemuel S. 

Lewis. Edwin M. 

Lesley, J. P. 

Leescr, Rev. Isaac 

Lindsay, John 

Lippincott, Joshua B. 

Littell, I'. Willing 
*Livezcy, John 

Louiiacrc, Jas. B. 

Longhead, Jos. P. 
*Logaii, J. Dickinson 

Lloyd, Franklin 

Lovering, Jos. S. 
*Loper. R. F. 
*Loper. William H. 

Ludlow, Richard 

McAllister, Wardale G. 

McAllister, John, jr. 

McAllister, John A. 

McAllister, Thomas H. 

McAllister, William Y. 
*McArthur, John, jr. 

McCall, Peter 

McCammon, D. C. 

McClcUan, J. II. B. 

McKean, Henry Pratt 
*McIIenrv, George 

McElroy, William J. 

McElroy, Thomas E. 

McCrea", James A. 

McMiehael, Morton 



Mclntyrc, Archihakl 

JIcMnVtrie. Richard C. 

McCurdy, John R. 

Mann, llov. William J. 

Mayluny, William 

Maicolm, Rev. Howard 

Martin, Sanderson R. 

Maddoek. William L. 
*Mason, Wm. Sanford 

JIartinez, S. A. 

Jlagarge, Charles 

Maealester, Charles 

Maris, Matthias 

Jlann, William B. 

JL-ithias, John T. 

JIartin, Georae II. 

Marklev. Edward C. 

Marsh, "Bcnj. V. 

Meredith, William 

Meredith, William M. 

Merrick. Samuel V. 

Mercer, Singleton A. 

Megargee, Sylvester J. 
*MeIlor, Thoinas 

Merrick, J. Vaughan 

Messchert, M. II., jr. 

Jlegargee, Irvine N. 

-Megargee, Theodore 

Merino, Felix 

Miles, E. Harris 

Miller, Andrew 

"Miller, E. Spencer 

Jlicklev. Jos. J. 
*Mitchell, John C. 

Miskey, William F. 

Miller, Jos. W. 
*:Miles, Thomas J. 

Mitchell, Jos. B. 

ilitchcU. William A. 

Jliddleton, E. P. 

Mitchell, Jas. T. 

Milliken, James 
*J[orris, Rohert 
*Morris, Charles M. 

Morris, Wistar 

"Morris, Israel 

Morris, Rev. B. Wistar 

Morris, William Jenks 

Moses, Horace 

Morton, Thomas George 

Montgomerv, Thomas H. 

iloore, B. H. 

Montgomerv, R. R. 
*Muir!iead, Charles H. 

Mnirheid, Henry P. 

Murphy, Alexander 

Myers, Jos. B. 
*Myers, John B. 

Xeal, William 
Newkirk, Matthew 



10 



Newton. Ufv. Iliehanl 

NewboUl, Thomas 

Newbolfl, Jns, S. 

Xen-bold, .lolm S. 

Ncall. Daniel 

Newiiall, Tliomas A. 

Neill, John 

Nicholson, Jas. B. 

Nicholson, Kichard L. 

Norris, Guor:^c \V. 
*Nc)rris, Samuel 
*\orris, William F. 

Norris, Isaac 

Novris, Isaac, jr. 

Notman, John 

Ojrden, Charles S. 
Orue, Jas. H. 

Patterson, Robert 
*Patterson, William C. 

Parrish, Geor;j:c D. 

Pancoast, Charles S. 
*Paxton, Jos. R. 

Palmer. .lonathan 

Pancoast, W. II. 

Paul, Jas. W. 

Paul, James 
*Parrish, nilhvyn 

Parrisli, William D. 

Plate, J. Theoiihilus 

Patterson, Jonathan 

Parsons, James 

Palmer, Benjamin F. 

Peninsrton, Edward, jr. 

Penington, John 

Peiree, William S. 

Pemberton, Israel 

Pleasants, Samuel 

Peddle, Geor^'e R. 
♦Pepper, Lawrence S. 
*Pepper, Georjre S. 

Penrose, Clement B. 
* Peace, Edward 

Pease, James O. 
*Price, Richard 
♦Price, Eli K. 
♦Plitt, Geor-e 

Price, William S. 

Phillips, Henry M. 
♦Powers. Thomas H. 
♦Potter, Riirht Rev. Alonzo 

Powel, Samuel 

Poloek, M. 

Purves, William 

Queen, James W. 

Randolph, Philip P. 
Randolph, Evan 
Rawle, William Henry 



Randoljili. Samuel E. 

Randall, Robert E. 
♦Read, T. Buchanan 

Read, Jno. M. 
♦Remington, Thomas P. 

Reeves, Samnel J. 
♦Repplier, John G. 
♦Richards, J. W. 

Ritter. Jacob B. 

Rice, John 

Ringwalt. J. I.uthcr 

R<iel;ey, A. B. 

Robins, Thomas 

Rogers, Cliarles H. 

Roberts. Algernon S. 

Robinson. Jloncure 
♦Robins, Edward 

Rogers, Fairman 

Roberts, Solomon W. 

Robinson. Daniel M. 

Rohrer, John S. 

Robins, William B. 

Rusehenberger, W. S. W. 

Rushton, William, jr. 

♦Sparks, Thomas, jr. 
♦Sharpless, H. H. G. 
♦Sharswood, George 
♦Sharpless, Samuel J. 

Sanford, E. S. 
♦Sargent. AVinthrop 

Swan, Wilson C. 

Slack, J. Hamilton 

Sharpe, Jacob L. 

Schaffer, William L. 

Smedley, Samuel L. 

Spencer, Howard 
♦Stevens, Right Rov. Wm. Bacon 
♦Sergeant, J. Dielcinson 

Stewardson, Thomas 

Sexton. Jolm W. 

Stewart. \V. Hood 
♦Seyliert, Henry 

Seheussele, C. 

Sheppard, Rev. T.J. 

Slierrerd. William 1). 

Sellers, David W. 

Shiidev, Augustus B. 
♦Shijilcy. Thomas 

Shipley, Samuel R. 

Shipiicn, Franklin 

Simjison, Henry 

Singerlv, Joseph 

Smith, Aubrey H. 

Smith, A. Lewis 

Smitli. Edmund 

Smith, Ellwood II. 

Smitli, Geo. Roberts 
*Smith, Horace W. 

Smith, Jesse E. 
♦Smitli, Jos. P. 



J 



11 



Smith. J. SoiiKTS 
«Sinitli. Lloyd P. 

Smitli, Xowberry A. 
*Smith, Robert 

Smith, Robert P. 

Smith. Riehard S. 

Smitli, Thomas 

Smith. W. H. 

Stille, Alfred 
^Simons, Georffe W. 

Simons, ITenry 
•''Sinclair, Thomas 
*Swif't. Joseph 

Stoddart, Curweu 

Stokes, W. A. 

Sower, Charles G. 
*Sholier. Samuel L. 

Stroud. George M. 

Scott, Lewis A. 

Sproat, Harris L. 

Stone, James N. 

Stone, W. E. 

Short, Charles 

Scott, Thomas A. 
^Sonder, Edmund A. 

Stuart. George H. 

Scull, Gideon D. 

Stnithers, William 

Sturges, K. 

Tatham, George X. 
■■■-Tra(iuair, James 

Traulwiue, John C. 

Taggart, William H. 

Tasivcr, Thomas T. 

Thayer, M. Russell 
*Tayior, Stephen 

Trenchard, L. Decatur (U.S.X.) 

Tinglev, William H. 

Thoms'on, G. H. 

Townsend, Henry C. 

Thompson, Oswald 

Thompson, J. Edgar 

Trotter, William Henry 

Trotter, Edward H. 

Trotter, Charles Vf. 

Thomas, Martin 

Townc, John H. 
*Thomas, William G. 

Thomas, William B. 
^Turnpenny, Joseph C. 

TueUer, John 

Turner, John 

Tyson, James 

Tyler, George F. 

Vanx, Riehard 
Vans, Thomas W. 
*Vaux, William S. 
Veitch, William 
Yerree, John P. 
Vogdes, William 



**Ward, Townsend 
■^Wairner, Charles M. 

Warner, Redwood F. 

Wharton, Heury 

Waterman. Isaac S. 

Wain, S. Morris 

AVhartoii, Joseph 

Walborn, C. A. 
* Wallace. J. William 

Wavne, William IL 
^Wain, Edward 

AVattson, Thomas B. 

Walker, Jeremiah 

West, James 
*Wclsh, John 

AVelsh, John. jr. 

Westcott, Thompson 
^Welling, Charles H. 

Welsh, Samuel 
*Weber, Paul 

Weightman, William 

Webster, Thomas, jr. 

Wlietham, James D. 

Wlielen, Edward S., jr. 
*Whelcn. Edward S. 

White, Philip S. 

Williamson. I. V. 

White, W. J. P. 

Wiegancl, John E. 

Wistar, Mifilin 
*Winner, William E. 

Wilson, Rathmel 
*Wilson, Thomas B. 
*Wllliams, Henry J. 
*Wilson, Oliver H. 

Wicht, Wm. V. 

AVilcox, Ednnmd 

Wistcr, Caspar 

Whitenian, William .\. 

Whitney, Asa 

White, J. De Haven 

Whitney, John R. 

WiL'ht, Andrew, jr. 

Wilcox, >[ark 

Wistcr. William 

Wood, >r.D.. George B. 

Wood, Richard 

Wood, George B. 

AVoodward, G. W. 
*Wood. Right Rev. James 
*Woolston, J. AV. 
*A\'ood, (ieorse A. 

A\"urts, M.Dr, Charles S. 

*A'arnall, Ellis 
*Yarnall, Francis Cope 

A'arnall, Charles 

A'oung, George 

Young, John R. 

Zieilcr, George K. 
Zeli, T. Elwood 



12 



CONSTITUTION. 



Aetiti.e I. — This Associalion shall be called "The Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania"— aiul its object shall be the elucidation of 
the history of this State, though other branches of history shall 
not be excluded. 

Art. II. — The Society shall be composed of such persons as have 
been, or may be, elected, from time to time, according to its laws 
and regulations. 

Art. III. — The officers of the Society shall be annually chosen, 
by a majority of ballots, at the stated meeting in February, and shall 
consist of a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Sec- 
retary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Librarian. The 
candidates for all offices shall be nominated at the stated meeting in 
January, and no new candidates shall be nominated at the stated 
meeting in February, except by unanimous consent. 

Art. I V. — It shall be the duty of the President, or in his absence, 
of a Vice-President, to preside at the meetings of the Society, to 
preserve order, regulate debates, to state motions and cpiestious, and 
to announce the decisions thereupon. If neither the President nor 
any of the Vice-Presidents be present at a meeting, the Society 
may choo^^o a member to act as President at that meeting. 

Art. V. — The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct and have 
charge of the correspondence of the Society. 

Art. VI.— The Recording Secretary shall keep full and correct 
minutes of the proceedings of the Society, and shall have them 
transcribed into a book of record. He shall give due notice of any 
special meeting that may be called, and shall notify all members of 
their election. 

Art. VII. — The Treasurer shall have charge of the moneys and 
other funds belonging to the Society. lie shall collect the contri- 
butions of the members, and other income of the Society, and shall 



\ 



13 

pay such claims against the Society as shall have been duly examined 
and ordered to be paid. He shall annually present, at the stated 
meeting in January, a statement of his receipts and expenditures 
during the precetling year, with a full report on the financial con- 
dition of the Society. 

Art. Tin. — The Librarian shall have charge of the books, 
manuscripts, and other property in the rooms of the Society, and 
shall arrange and preserve the same in proper and convenient order. 
He shall keep an arranged catalogue of the books and manuscripts, 
and where these have been presented, shall append the names of the 
donors. At the stated meeting in January, he shall annually pre- 
sent a report to the Society, embracing an account of his adminis- 
tration of the library, and of its condition during the preceding 
year. 

Art. IX. — There shall be the following Standing Commitees, 
each to be composed of three members of the Society, viz. : 1st. 
Committee on the Library; 2d. Committee on Publications; 3d. 
Committee on Finance. The members thereof, shall serve for the 
term of three years, one of each Committee shall be elected annually, 
at the stated meeting of the Society in February. Those elected in 
1862, shall draw lots for their respective terms of one, two, and 
three years. The members of these Committees, together with the 
other officers of the Society, shall form an Executive Committee, of 
which five shall constitute a quorum, which shall meet at the Hall 
on the fourth Monday of every month. Members of the Society 
have the right to attend the meetings of every Committee, to in- 
troduce motions, and to speak thereon ; and to vote at any election 
for members of the Society. In onler tliat the meetings of the 
Society shall be free for the reading of papers or for discussions on 
historical and literary subjects, the business of the Society shall be 
transacted by the Executive Committee, any member of which, 
however, shall have the right to call for the ayes and nays on any 
question to be entered on the minutes, and to bring the same, by 
appeal, before the Society; in which case the list of ayes and nays, 
together with the notice of the appeal, shall form a part of the 
record, and be laid before the next meeting of the Society. 

Art. X. — Vacancies which may occur in any of the above-named 
ofiBces shall be filled by an election at the next stated meeting after 
such vacancy shall have been announced to the Society. 



u 

Art. XI.— The Society shall hold stated meetings on the second 
Monday evening of every month. Special meetings may be called 
by the President or one of the Vice-Presidents, by giving at least 
three days' notice thereof in not less than two of the daily news- 
papers [Miblished in the City of I'hiladelphia. The members'present 
at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. 

Art. XII.— No alteration shall be made in this Constitution 
unless the proposed amendments shall have been drawn up in writing 
and read to the Society at three successive monthly stated meetings. 
Nor shall any such amendment be considered as adopted unless 
sanctioned by the votes of three-fourths of the members present at 
the meeting when the qnestion shall be taken upon its adoption. 



LAWS. 

Articlb I.— The election of memlicrs shall be by Ijallot, at auy 
stated meeting of the Society or of the E.xecutive Committee. 
Those members shall be deemed qualified voters at the meetings and 
elections who have paid their dues to the Society. A memlicr may 
at any meeting nominate, in writing, a candidate for membership, 
and if the said candidate shall receive a majority of the votes cast, 
he shall be deemed duly elected. On request of three members, the 
balloting on any candidate shall be postponed to the nest stated 
meeting. A viva voce vote on the election of a member may be 
taken, if so ordered. The balloting being gone through, the boxes 
shall be opened, and the result of the poll declared l)y the presiding 
officer. The written nominations of the members elected shall be 
preserved by the Secretary for future reference. 

Art. II.— Such members as reside within the City of Philadel- 
phia, shall pay an annual contribution of three dollars. The pay- 
ment of Iwcnti/ dollars at one time, by a member, shall constitute 
him a member for life, with an exemption from all future annual 
payments. Any member liable to an annual contribution, who 
shall neglect or refuse to pay the same for the term of two years, 
may by the action of the Kxecutive Committee, have his rights as a 
member suspended, and in case the said arrears are not paid when 
the third annual contribution shall have become due, the member- 



15 

ship of such (lefaiiltinfi' member ma}- thcu be forfciteil, and his name 
stricken from the roll. 

Art. III. — On the Society being; informed of the death of a mem- 
ber, the fact shall be entered on the records, and a member may be 
appointed to prepare an obituary notice of the deceased. The obit- 
uary notices of members shall be read to the Society, and they shall 
be bound together whenever they are sufliciently numerous to form 
a volume. 

Art. IV. — The Committee of Finance shall have the general 
superintendence of the financial concerns of the Society; they shall 
audit and certify all bills for payment by the Treasurer ; they shall 
always have access to hi.s books, accounts, and vouchers, and shall 
examine and audit his annual report, as well as those of the Trus- 
tees of the special funds of the Society. They shall consult with 
the Treasurer, and authorize and direct the investment of surplus 
funds. 

^r,T. V. — 'l"he Committee of Publication shall superintend the 
printing and distribution of such publications as may be ordered to 
be made by the Trustees of the Publication Fund. They shall have 
power to call on the Librarian for his assistance in the perforuuxnce 
of their duties. 

Art. YI. — The Committee on the Library shall confer with and 
assist the Librarian in the general care and management of the 
library, and shall control the disbursement of such appropriations 
as may be made by the Society for its increase and maintenance, as 
well as in the disposition and arrangement of the books, maps, doc- 
uments, and paintings belonging to the Society. 

Art. VII.^All Special Committees shall be chosen, on nomina- 
tions made by members present, unlass the Society shall otherwise 
direct. The member first named of any committee shall be the 
chairman. 

Art. YIII. — A majority of any committee shall be a quorum. 
Special committees shall report at the meeting next after that at 
which they were appointed, unless otherwise ordered by the Society. 
All reports shall be in writing, and signed by the members agreeing 
thereto. 



16 

Art. IX. — The Librarian shall attend at the Library, at such 
hours as the Executive Committee shall, from time to time, direct: 
and the rooms shall be opened on every Monday evening-, between 
the hours of 8 and 10, except during- June, July, and August. 

Art. X. — No alteration or amendment of the laws and regula- 
tions of the Society shall bo made or considered, unless the same 
shall have been duly proposed and fairly drawn up in writing at one 
stated meeting of the Society, and laid over for consideration and 
enactment at the nest stated meeting ; nor shall any such altera- 
tion, amendment, or regulation be considered as passed or binding 
upon the members, unless the same be sanctioned by the vote of 
three-fonrlhs of the number of qualified members then present. 

Art. XL — The laws and regulations contained in the foregoing 
articles shall be in force from and after the time of their adoption 
by the Society, and thereafter all other laws and regulations here- 
tofore made by the Society, and not contained in its Constitution, 
shall be, and the same are hereby repealed. 



ORDER OP BUSINESS. 

I. The chair taken by the presiding officer. 
II. New members presented, and visitors from other Socie- 
ties introduced. 

III. Records read of fast meeting, and of any subsequent 

special meeting. 

IV. Correspondence read. 

V. Donations and other additions announced : 
a. To the Library. 
h. Other donations or additions. 
VI. Reports and communications on historical and literary 

subjects. 
VII. Obituary notices of members read, and announcements of 

the decease of members made and acted on. 
VIII. Balloting for candidates for membership. 
IX. Reports on business from officers and committees. 
X. Deferred business. 
XI. New business. 

XII. Minutes of the meeting read and submitted for correction. 
XIII. The Society adjourned by the presiding ofiRcer. 



/ 



LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 




011 838 179 




Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



STATED MEETINGS. 
1863. 



Thr 



EXKCUTIVE 


Committee, Feb. 23d. ( 


The 


Society, 


A 


ugust 


loth. 


Society, 


March gth. - 


K 


Executive 


Committee, 


" 


24th. 


Executive 


Committee, " a3d. . 


" 


Society, 


. 


Sept. 


14th. 


Society, 


April I 3th. 


«' 


Executive 


Committee, 


(( 


2Stll. 


EXECUTIVK 


Committee, *' 27th. 


i* 


Society, 


- 


Oct. 


izth. 


Society, 


May 1 ith. 




Executive 


Committee, 


tt 


z6tli. 


Executive 


CoMMrTTEE, " 25th. 


" 


Society, 


- 


Nov 


. 9th. 


Society, 


June 8th. 


(1 


Executive 


Committee, 


" 


2^d. 


Executive 


Committee, *' 22d. 


(( 


Society, 


- 


Dec. 


14th. 


Society, 


July 13th. 


(( 


Executive 


Committee, 


(t 


28th. 


Executive 


Committee, " 27th. 

18 


34. 








, 




The Society, 




January iirli. 








" Executive Commi 


ttee 


'* 2 


5th. 








" Society, 




February 8th. 







I'he Hai.l of the Society, No. 8 Athen:ruin Building, 
Sixth and Adelphi Streets. 



The Annual Contribution is Three Dollars, payable in advance, lo 
the Treasurer, Charles M. Morris, No. 136 Waln.ut Street, or to the 
Collector. Lite Membership, Twenty Dollars. 

The Hall is open to the public e\ ery day, trom 12 M. to 2 1'. M. 
und with the exception ol the months of June. July and August, on 
every Monday Evening. 



